Photos of surfer being rescued off Newgale
It's been a great winter for surf in Wales so far this year and the lighter mornings and evenings come as a great relief. (It's no fun getting changed in the dark in sub-zero temperatures!)
We've been blessed with solid ground swells, big wave periods and offshore winds which occasionally all combine to produce perfect waves for surfers.
Bigger swells however can also bring danger to the less experienced, so if in doubt - don't paddle out!Ìý
The swell was massive on Saturday, 6 Feb with a 10ft+ swell and there weren't many braving it.
Local surfer, Tim Plumb had this to say on the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Wales surfing forum: "There was a crazy rip in Newgale in the white water, which was ripping badly from south to north. The rip was only in the white water though and was fine out the back. I'm not surprised someone got taken round by it, it was very strong".
However, one unlucky surfer decided to take on the might of the ocean that day and lost.
Luckily a member of the public reported him being swept along in the rip towards the north end of the beach.
John Hooper, a surfer from Cardiff was on hand to capture the rescue which luckily ended without incident thanks to the great work done by the RNLI.
The inshore lifeboat, all weather boat and helicopter begin the search:
The winch man descends to get a closer look nearer the rocks:
The winch man hovering above the waves, which gives you an indication of the size:
The surfer is finally located in a sea cave and winched to safety:
Luckily the only things injured that day were his hip, pride and surfboard.
Newgale beach surfing guide
Gull
We've been blessed with solid ground swells, big wave periods and offshore winds which occasionally all combine to produce perfect waves for surfers.
Bigger swells however can also bring danger to the less experienced, so if in doubt - don't paddle out!Ìý
The swell was massive on Saturday, 6 Feb with a 10ft+ swell and there weren't many braving it.
Local surfer, Tim Plumb had this to say on the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Wales surfing forum: "There was a crazy rip in Newgale in the white water, which was ripping badly from south to north. The rip was only in the white water though and was fine out the back. I'm not surprised someone got taken round by it, it was very strong".
However, one unlucky surfer decided to take on the might of the ocean that day and lost.
Luckily a member of the public reported him being swept along in the rip towards the north end of the beach.
John Hooper, a surfer from Cardiff was on hand to capture the rescue which luckily ended without incident thanks to the great work done by the RNLI.
The inshore lifeboat, all weather boat and helicopter begin the search:
The winch man descends to get a closer look nearer the rocks:
The winch man hovering above the waves, which gives you an indication of the size:
The surfer is finally located in a sea cave and winched to safety:
Luckily the only things injured that day were his hip, pride and surfboard.
Newgale beach surfing guide
Gull
Comment number 1.
At 20th Feb 2010, Patrick wrote:Ok, firstly, I wish to add my debt of gratitude to the air sea rescue boys for their bravery that day. Secondly I would like to thank the "Spotter" who saw my board as I threw it out of the cave. Thirdly, the winchman who put his own life at risk to bring me out from the very back of the cave. It's very difficult to move when you have a pelvis broken in seven places and four broken ribs, suffering from the onset of hypothermia and all energy gone from pinning myself to the cave wall to stop the constant battering from waves, dragging me out to sea.
A random report from someone who wasn't there, doesn't do justice and I find it very disappointing that the above report was made without knowing, only assuming, the facts of what happened. To all the air sea rescue and R.N.L.I boys, they are amazing, they do not get the credit they deserve.
As for hurt pride, there's no room for that. If you focus on pride, you don't focus on what needs to be done should anything happen. I will be back in the water in about two months after physio and I start swimming again next week.
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Comment number 2.
At 26th Feb 2010, gull wrote:Hi Patrick,
Glad to hear you're okay and survived in one piece. It sounds like you had a very lucky escape!
What happened - perhaps you could fill in the gaps?
I was merely reporting the information that was available to me at the time from the rescue report and two surfers at the beach who witnessed the rescue that day - one of whom surfed, and came out unscathed via the beach.
I've been surfing for 22 years now and coming from Pembrokeshire, know the beach well.
Goodluck with the physio. I'm surprised you're able to swim again with a broken pelvis and 4 broken ribs?!
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